Measurements of Pressure Distributions and Force Coefficients in a Squeeze Film Damper Part II: Partially Sealed Configuration

In Part I, a squeeze film damper (SFD) test rig and measurement procedures were explained, arid the experimental results obtained from an open ended damper were presented. In this paper, the experimental results measured from a partially sealed SFD test rig executing a circular centered orbit are presented and discussed. A serrated piston ring is installed at the damper exit. This device involves a new sealing concept which produces high damping values while allowing for oil flow to cool the damper. In the partially sealed damper, large cavitation regions are observed in the pressure fields at orbit radii e = 0.5 and e = 0.8. The cavitated pressure distributions and the corresponding force coefficients are compared with a cavitated bearing solution. The experimental results show the significance of fluid inertia and vapor cavitation in the operation of squeeze film dampers. Squeeze film Reynolds numbers tested reach up to Re = 50, spanning the range of contemporary applications. Presented as a Society of ...